Desk clock with visual alarm indicator

ABSTRACT

A desk clock having visual alarm indication and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotary switches representing increments of time located around the periphery of the clock face. The switches are formed with terminal contact portions which are electrically interconnected to the hour-hand pointer for actuating the visual alarm when the hour-hand pointer has rotated into engagement with the terminal contact at the preset time. The switches are automatically rotated out of contact engagement by the pointer as the same continues to rotate and are automatically returned to their rest position. The visual alarm indicators comprise a flashing red light and a figurine which rapidly reciprocates when the circuit through the flashing light is closed.

United States Patent Christ 1 1 Nov. 5, 1974 DESK CLOCK WITH VISUAL ALARM INDICATOR [76] Inventor: Leon L. Christ, 14038 95th Ave. N.,

Seminole, Fla. 33542 [22] Filed: Aug. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 389,583

[52] U.S. Cl 58/19 A, 58/16, 58/53 [51] Int. Cl G04c 21/16 [58] Field of Search 58/16, 16.5, 19, 21.11, 58/39, 53

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 405,206 6/1889 Dubinski 58/l6.5 1,484,675 2/1924 Schurr 58/16.5 X 2,444,748 7/1948 Parissi 513/19 R 3,678,678 7/1972 Macedo 58/16.5

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 692,132 10/1930 France 58/19 A Primary Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-D0nald D. Jeffery [57] ABSTRACT A desk clock having visual alarm indication and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotary switches representing increments of time located around the periphery of the clock face. The switches are formed with terminal contact portions which are electrically interconnected to the hour-hand pointer for actuating the visual alarm when the hour-hand pointer has rotated into engagement with the terminal contact at the preset time. The switches are automatically rotated out of contact engagement by the pointer as the same continues to rotate and are automatically returned to their rest position. The visual alarm indicators comprise a flashing red light and a figurine which rapidly reciprocates when the circuit through the flashing light is closed.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Pmmmmv 5mm 3.845614 sum luv 2 1 DESK CLOCK WITH VISUAL ALARM INDICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates as indicated to a desk clock having a visual alarm indicator and relates more particularly to a desk clock in which appointments or conferences during the business day may be programmed into the clock beforehand and the clock unit actuated at the designated time to set off a visual alarm indicator thereby to signal the user that the time'for such conference or appointment is at hand. The device is an obvious aid in maintaining punctuality during a fairly rigid business schedule and eliminates frequent clock watching which would otherwise be required for maintaining such schedule.

Indicating or reminding devices of the general type referred to are generally known in the art. However, they have not proved satisfactory, particularly from a standpoint of commercialization, for several reasons. Initially, the devices have frequently comprised entirely separate and complete units thereby making the manufacturing thereof relatively expensive. Typical of de vices of this general type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 950,740; 1,089,712; 1,137,427; 1,296,438; 1,887,303, and 2,482,615. Certain of the device illustrated in these patents also have the drawback that use of the device in its intended manner requires the use of associated materials such as paper strips or data cards, reference being made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,137,427 and 1,296,438, respectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above in mind, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a desk clock having a visual alarm indicator or indicators and which can be constructed with a desk clock of commercially available type. In accordance with the invention, the entire clockworks are employed, with the same being housed in an attractive casing having associated therewith the visual alarm means. The clock is modified only to the extent that the hour hand is replaced by a metal disc and pointer, with the pointer being designed to contact a switch or switches which have been preset for the de-.

sired times. All other components of the device are items which can be added to the clockworks at relatively little additional cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a clock of the type described wherein a setting of the desired alarm time or times is quickly and easily accomplished by means of rotary switches positioned in circumferentially spaced relation around the periphery of the clock face. The switches are resiliently mounted and can be actuated or preset by depressing and rotating the same, with the resilient mounting when the switches are thus rotated retaining the switches in electrical contact condition until actuated by the moving pointer. When so actuated, the switches are automatically moved by said resilient means to a non-set position thereby in no way interfering with the normal operation of the clock.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a clock wherein at least two separate and distinct visual alarm indicators are provided thereby substantially increasing the effectiveness of the device as an alarm system. One of the visual indicators comprises a blinking red light which is flashed at frequent intervals, and the other preferably comprises a figure mounted on the housing and exposed at the exterior top thereof and which vigorously moves when the alarm is actuated to attract the attention of the user to the possibly imminent conference or appointment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a desk clock having the alarm means indicated which can be manufactured at relatively little cost and which, by virtue of its simple construction, is substantially maintenance free.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a desk clock and alarm system wherein the alarm switches can be easily preset and maintained at such preset position, and wherein additional switches generally circular in form are interposed between the main switches for permitting alarm indication in increments less than an hour. Although in the form shown, alarm increments of thirty minutes are achieved, it will be apparent that the increments can be made even smaller through the use of smaller switches and/or a larger clock face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION DRAWINGS In the application drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clock constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view looking toward the left end of the clock as shown in FIG. 1, with the lower portion of the clock casing being broken away to expose the interior components;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 taken, however, looking at the unit from the right thereof, with the lower portion of the casing also being broken away in this figure to expose the interior thereof;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through the unit and showing the construction and positioning of the individual components within the casing;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the alarm circuit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the clock face and the associated components for actuating the visual alarms, including the rotary switches mounted on the switch ring surrounding the clock face, and

FIGS. 7-9 are sectional views through the switch assemblies, taken on lines 77, 8-8 and 9-9 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the desk clock constructed in accordance with the present invention. The clock includes a molded plastic casing 11 which encloses an alarm clock works 16 of conventional construction. Around the clock works is a ring 12 of insulating material on which are mounted a number of manually rotatable switches 15, corresponding to divisions of time of the clock face, with the switches being positioned around the periphery of the clock face in one hour increments. On the upper right side of the casing a holder 13 is attached for storing a pen or pencil 13a. Two lugs 14 are molded into the lower front edge of the casing for attachment if desired of a desk calendar. Protruding from the upper left portion of the casing is a rod 10a onto which may be mounted an interchangeable figurine 10. Just below the figurine on the sloping front wall of the casing is a red window 17 through which the visual alarm appears as will be presently described.

Reference will now be made to the components housed within the casing 17, as shown in FIGS. 24. A flashing alarm indicator bulb l9 and an electromagnetic coil 18 wound on a soft iron core are mounted at one end of the casing, and a clock time-setting knob 20 extends from the removable back cover 11a of the easing.

A 110 volt A.C. to 6 volt A.C. transformer 21 is mounted at the other end of the casing. Affixed to the casing near electromagnetic coil 18 is a spring 23 on top of which is attached a small pole magnet 25 and the figurine mounting rod a. The clock motor is indicated at 24.

The alarm circuit of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. The clock motor 24 is connected in parallel with transformer 21 across the terminals of a l 10 volt A.C. line 26. One of the transformer output terminals 27 is connected to a conductive metal ring 22 which is attached to insulating ring 12 around the face of the clock. The other transformer output terminal is connected through electromagnetic coil 18, rectifier 29, and the flasher or blinker bulb 19 to the hour-hand shaft 32 of the clock mechanism. An hour-hand pointer 28 is in permanent electrical contact with the hour-hand shaft 32 through a conductive metal disc, with the pointer 28 being mounted on the disc 29 which is in turn fixed to the shaft 32 for rotation therewith. The outer end of the pointer is directed downwardly for making the necessary contact with the switch, as seen in FIG. 7. Switch contacts 30 are manually rotatable so as to make contact between hour-hand pointer 28 and the conductor ring 22 which is carried on the inner periphery of the ring 12. A minute hand 31 is also provided, in the usual fashion.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, as above noted, the switches are mounted around the clock face on insulating ring 12. In the preferred form of the invention, the switch tops are generally bullet shaped and are fixedly secured to the shafts which extend downwardly through openings therefor formed in the ring 12. The ends of the shafts 29 terminate in switch contacts 30 which extend laterally from the axes of the shafts. The switches are resiliently biased upwardly by springs 29, the ends of which respectively engage the switch tops and the bottoms of the openings in the ring through which the shafts extend. When rotated to the contact position, as shown in FIG. 7, the switch contact 30 engage conductive ring 22 so that when hour-hand pointer 28 is at the corresponding position, it will touch contact 30, establishing an electrical connection between ring 22 and hour-hand pointer 28. FIG. 8 shows switch 15 rotated by the pointer 28 to an open position out of contact with the conductor ring 22, with the spring 29 biasing the switch upwardly thereby preventing rotation of the switch to a preset position (FIG. 7) until the switch is depressed and manually rotated. The resilient mounting of the switch thus automatically returns the switch to an off" position after the pointer 28 has rotated beyond engagement with the switch contact 30.

An alternate form of switch top 15a is shown in FIG. 6 and in section in FIG. 9. Switch 15a is generally cylindrical and is particularly well suited for alarm increments of less than 1 hour. Due to the decreased spatial requirements, the switches 15a may be interposed between the switches 15 without interfering with movement of the latter to then set" positions. Except for the form of the switch top, switch 15a is otherwise identical to switch 15, as will be readily evident when comparing FIG. 7 with FIG. 9.

Referring now to the operation of the clock, to set the visual alarm for a particular time, the appropriate switch 15 is rotated to the contact position as shown in FIG. 7 by depressing the switch against the bias of spring 29 and manually rotating the same approximately The shape of the switch top facilitates setting of the alarm, with the generally pointed end of the switch being directed radially inwardly when the switch has been set. The slot in the switch 15a functions similarly, except that suitable means such as pen or pencil 13a may be equipped with a keyed end which fits in the slot to facilitate setting of the switch. When the switch is released after being moved to its set position, the spring 29 resilient biases the contact 30 against the conductor ring 22. When hour-hand pointer 28 comes around to a switch previously set in the contact position, it touches contact 30, closing the alarm circuit.

Electric current is provided for the circuit by transformer 21, through rectifier 29 to the'flasher or blinker bulb 29 which flashes off and on in intervals of about I second. The bulb is located below window 17 thereby providing a red blinking visual signal. From the flasher bulb, current passes intermittently through coil 18 which is thereby magnetized. As the circuit is broken by flasher bulb 19 in one-second intervals, the electromagnetic coil 18 alternately pushes and pulls the permanent magnet 25 causing it to sway. This motion is transmitted to the figurine 10 mounted on rod 10a. The lively motion of the figure and the flashing red light serve as a visual reminder that an appointment is at hand. If desired, a buzzer or bell sound can be added to the alarm circuit to augment the alarm capabilities of the device.

As hour-hand pointer 28 continues to rotate it pushes the switch contact 30 out of engagement with ring 22 thereby opening the circuit. As above noted, the spring 29 returns the switch to its elevated position thereby requiring that the switch be depressed to subsequently preset the same. The alarm is thus automatically terminated after the period of visual alarm. The circuit re mains closed for about 10 minutes or may be broken by manually resetting the switch.

The figurine 10 may be changed by merely lifting off one figurine and setting on another. The figurine may be a caricature relating to hobbies, current events, etc. In the form shown, the desk set is equipped with a holder 13 and the lugs 14 are adapted to receive a typical desk calendar. The desk clock can thus form part of an attractive gift package.

In summary, the invention affords a desk clock with dual visual alarm indication whereby appointments or conferences may be programmed into the clock as to provide visual signals at the preset time. The clock can be manufactured at relatively low cost and the relatively simple construction permits reliable operation essentially free of maintenance requirements.

I claim:

A desk clock with a visual alarm indicator comprising:

a casing including a clock face and a visual alarm means;

a clock mechanism mounted in said casing having an hour-hand shaft;

a conductive metal pointer mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith;

a plurality of manually rotatable switches spaced around the periphery of said clock face corresponding to the displayed increments of time, each of said switches including a manually engageable portion exposed exteriorly of said casing, a shaft passing through said casing, and a terminal contact portion extending laterally from said shaft whereby each of said switches may be rotated about said shaft from an open position out of the path of movement of said pointer to a preset position wherein said contact portion lies in said path; and

means electrically interconnecting said pointer, said visual alarm means, a power source, and said switches such that when said pointer is driven by said clock mechanism into engagement with the contact portion of a preset switch, the visual alarm means will be activated.

2. The desk clock according to claim 1, wherein said hour-hand pointer is attached to a conductive metal disc mounted on said hour-hand shaft of said clock mechanism for movement with said shaft.

3. The desk clock according to claim 1, wherein said visual alarm means comprises a flashing light and a moving figurine, and means for actuating said figurine in response to the closing of the circuit through said flashing light, said means for actuating said figurine including a coil intermittently energized by the interrupted circuit through said light, and a permanent magnet on which said figurine is mounted and which is swayed to and fro by said coil, said magnet being mounted on a spring base.

4. The desk clock according to claim 1, wherein said means for electrically interconnecting said switch contacts comprises a fixed conductive metal ring around said clock mechanism.

5. The desk clock according to claim 4 wherein said switches are mounted to a ring of insulating material mounted around said clock mechanism, said ring being formed with spaced recesses for rotatably receiving the shafts of said switches, and means for resiliently biasing said switches upwardly to engage said conductive ring when said switch is preset and to bias said switch to said open positionwhen said terminal contact portion is out of engagement with said conductive ring, said switch thereby being automatically returned to said open position by said resilient biasing means when said pointer passes out of engagement with said terminal contact portion.

6. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein the exposed portion of some of said switches is generally bullet shaped and the exposed portion of others of said switches is generally cylindrical, said generally cylindrical switches being interposed between said generally bullet shaped switches.

7. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein the exposed portion of said switch is generally bullet shaped, the leading end of which is directed radially inwardly when said switch is preset.

8. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein said exposed portion of said switch is generally cylindrical and provided with a slot in the top surface thereof to visually indicate the rotary position thereof.

9. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein said electrically interconnecting said switch contacts comprises a conductive metal ring is fixedly secured to the inner periphery of said insulating ring and wherein said hourhand pointer is attached to a conductive metal disk mounted on said hour-hand shaft of said clock mechanism for movement therewith. 

1. A desk clock with a visual alarm indicator comprising: a casing including a clock face and a visual alarm means; a clock mechanism mounted in said casing having an hour-hand shaft; a conductive metal pointer mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith; a plurality of manually rotatable switches spaced around the periphery of said clock face corresponding to the displayed increments of time, each of said switches including a manually engageable portion exposed exteriorly of said casing, a shaft passing through said casing, and a terminal contact portion extending laterally from said shaft whereby each of said switches may be rotated about said shaft from an open position out of the path of movement of said pointer to a preset position wherein said contact portion lies in said path; and means electrically interconnecting said pointer, said visual alarm means, a power source, and said switches such that when said pointer is driven by said clock mechanism into engagement with the contact portion of a preset switch, the visual alarm means will be activated.
 2. The desk clock according to claim 1, wherein said hour-hand pointer is attached to a conductive metal disc mounted on said hour-hand shaft of said clock mechanism for movement with said shaft.
 3. The desk clock according to claim 1, wherein said visual alarm means comprisEs a flashing light and a moving figurine, and means for actuating said figurine in response to the closing of the circuit through said flashing light, said means for actuating said figurine including a coil intermittently energized by the interrupted circuit through said light, and a permanent magnet on which said figurine is mounted and which is swayed to and fro by said coil, said magnet being mounted on a spring base.
 4. The desk clock according to claim 1, wherein said means for electrically interconnecting said switch contacts comprises a fixed conductive metal ring around said clock mechanism.
 5. The desk clock according to claim 4 wherein said switches are mounted to a ring of insulating material mounted around said clock mechanism, said ring being formed with spaced recesses for rotatably receiving the shafts of said switches, and means for resiliently biasing said switches upwardly to engage said conductive ring when said switch is preset and to bias said switch to said open position when said terminal contact portion is out of engagement with said conductive ring, said switch thereby being automatically returned to said open position by said resilient biasing means when said pointer passes out of engagement with said terminal contact portion.
 6. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein the exposed portion of some of said switches is generally bullet shaped and the exposed portion of others of said switches is generally cylindrical, said generally cylindrical switches being interposed between said generally bullet shaped switches.
 7. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein the exposed portion of said switch is generally bullet shaped, the leading end of which is directed radially inwardly when said switch is preset.
 8. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein said exposed portion of said switch is generally cylindrical and provided with a slot in the top surface thereof to visually indicate the rotary position thereof.
 9. The desk clock of claim 5, wherein said electrically interconnecting said switch contacts comprises a conductive metal ring is fixedly secured to the inner periphery of said insulating ring and wherein said hour-hand pointer is attached to a conductive metal disk mounted on said hour-hand shaft of said clock mechanism for movement therewith. 